Name: Klaus Fichtel

Nickname: "Die Tanne"



Country: Germany
Club: FC Schalke 04
Position: *CB, CWP, DMF
Side: RF/BS
Age: 23-28 years (19/11/1944)

Height: 176 cm
Weight: 70 kg

Attack: 65
Defence: 90
Balance: 83
Stamina: 83
Top Speed: 81
Acceleration: 80
Response: 86
Agility: 77
Dribble Accuracy: 75
Dribble Speed: 76
Short Pass Accuracy: 76
Short Pass Speed: 77
Long Pass Accuracy: 78
Long Pass Speed: 77
Shot Accuracy: 69
Shot Power: 85
Shot Technique: 67
Free Kick Accuracy: 66
Curling: 70
Header: 83
Jump: 86
Technique: 77
Aggression: 68
Mentality: 87
Keeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 83

Injury Tolerance: A
Condition/Fitness: 8
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Growth Type: Standard Lasting


CARDS:
P13: Long Ranger
S07: Man Marking
S09: Covering

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Covering - Marking - Middle Shooting

Attack / Defence Awareness Card: Defence Minded


INFO:

Klaus Fichtel was former German defender. Fichtel was one of the leading German defenders during the 60's and 70's. Klaus was excellent in positioning and strong in the air, with solid speed and technique which allowed him to make good runs with the ball in midfield, also very good in marking.. Fichtel was in fantastic physicall shape: He played his last game in Bundesliga on 21/05/1988 at the age of 43 years, 6 months and 2 days which made him the oldest ever player to play in Bundesliga. This brillant defender was never yellow carded and just once red carded in his outstanding 23 years in Bundesliga. Unbelievable. Fichtel came to Schalke in 1965 and played in 34 games during his first season in Bundesliga. In 1966 with the average rating of 2,65 Fichtel was on the 8th place of the best players in Bundesliga. In season 1967/1968 with the rating of 2,47 he was on the 2nd place in players rating in Germany and made his debut for NT. Schalke started to play better and better and almost won the title in 1970. They won the German Cup in 1972. Fichtel was also suspended for match fixing scandal for 2 years but after 10 months he was pardoned and returned to pitch. But following a exclusion of many players Schalke had very hard time during the following years. Only at the beginning of season 1976/1977 with the arrival of new players like Abramczik, Oblak and Bongartz, Schalke played much better and finished 2nd. In 1980 coach Branko Zebec told Fichtel he doesn't count on him due to his age of 36. So Fichtel moved on to werder. That proved so bad for Zebec since Schalke were relegated and Fichtel had fantastic season in Bremen. In 1982/1983 season werder finished 2nd and defence boss Fichtel played in 33 games despite the age of 38! Next year Werder sign legendary libero Bruno Pezzey and Fichtel returns to Schalke at the age of 39. After 477 Bundesliga games, 53 Cup games and 20 games in European Cups Fichtel retires from active football at the age of almost 44. Fichtel made his debut for NT against Morocco in 1967. Next year Fichtel plays fantastic for NT in legendary victories over Brazil and England. In 1969 Fichtel scores a goal in deciding match in qualifications for World Cup 1970 against Scotland. The match was decided by fantastic goal scored by Reinhard Libuda. On the WC 1970 Fichtel played in 5 games and showed great play as well as his teammates. Unfortunately that notorious match fixing scandal prevented Fichtel of playing on EURO 1972 and World Cup 1974. Same as Libuda and other great Schalke players of that generation which could change the history of football which we know. He played in total 23 games and scored 1 goal for NT. Apart from match fixing scandal he had to deal with fact Franz Beckenbauer played on his position, which also limited his chances in NT, same as happened to another legendary libero Horst Blankenburg. After retiring from play Fichtel works as Schalke scout.